ABU DHABI- Wizz Air has confirmed it will cease all Wizz Air Abu Dhabi (5W) operations by September 1, 2025, as part of a strategic reorientation towards Europe. The UAE capital’s Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) will no longer serve as a base for the carrier, which will redeploy resources to key European hubs.
This decision stems from sustained operational challenges in the Middle East, including engine performance in hot climates, airspace disruptions, and restrictive regulatory conditions. The airline’s priority is to strengthen its position in Central, Eastern, and selected Western European countries.
Photo: Wizz AirWizz Air to Exit Abu Dhabi from September
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi was formed through a joint venture between Wizz Air Holdings (W6) and Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, with ADQ holding a 51% stake.
Launched in November 2020, the airline initially operated with two Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering routes across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
The airline had an ambitious target of scaling the Abu Dhabi fleet to 50 aircraft, later expanding aspirations to 100 aircraft over 15 years. However, persistent market conditions in the region have hindered these plans. Wizz Air cited multiple obstacles:
- Engine performance issues in hot climates are affecting flight reliability.
- Geopolitical tensions, including conflicts that have led to recurring airspace closures.
- Regulatory limitations constrained market expansion and profitability.
These combined factors undermined the feasibility of maintaining Wizz Air’s low-cost operating model in the region.
Photo: Wizz AirEuropean Markets Back in Focus
As part of its recalibration, Wizz Air will exit the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi joint venture. Resources, including aircraft and operational capacity, will be reallocated to strengthen the airline’s footprint in:
- Central Europe (e.g., Hungary, Poland)
- Eastern Europe (e.g., Romania, Bulgaria)
- Western Europe (e.g., Austria, Italy, UK)
CEO József Váradi stated that although the decision was difficult, it was necessary to secure long-term growth and shareholder value. The airline remains committed to providing low-cost, efficient travel in scalable and profitable markets.
Photo: By tjdarmstadt – IMG_9636.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61529963Impact of Regional Tensions on Operations
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi had only recently resumed flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) after earlier suspensions caused by regional airspace closures.
In early 2025, strikes by Iran on a US base in Qatar prompted Qatar (DOH), Bahrain (BAH), and Kuwait (KWI) to close parts of their airspace, leading to widespread disruptions.
Although Wizz Air had aimed to normalize operations by June 30, the protracted geopolitical instability made the recovery unsustainable. This volatility significantly influenced the decision to withdraw entirely from the Middle East market.
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